I wasn't going to bother having a pint on Monday but after nipping out to do a few errands, I found the prospect of seeing the lads in the Fat Ox too irresistible.

The craic is always good in Whitley a couple of days after a Newcastle win, especially if we have done it on the road.

Dag reminded us of the clever play by Elliot Anderson that released Harvey Barnes on the left to cross, just before our talisman Bruno scored that winner.

Fabian Schar was also praised for his second half performance as we chewed the fat on all things Newcastle United.

There is nothing quite like the anticipation of incoming signings and we have made some memorable ones in my lifetime.

Malcolm Macdonald was a club record signing from Luton Town in 1971 and scored a hat-trick against Liverpool on his home debut, the day my younger brother was born. How can our family ever forget that?

In 1982, there were the almost biblical scenes of awe and wonderment after Kevin Keegan's first coming as a player. No wonder he was immediately christened the Messiah by the adoring hordes.

Mirandinha made headlines when he became the first Brazilian to play in the Football League in 1987 and the national press carried pictures of Geordies in sombreros.

When Newcastle eventually brought our first million pound player to St James' Park, Kevin Keegan and Sir John Hall did it in style, Andy Cole arriving from Bristol City for PS1.8m at the back end of the unforgettable 1992/93 season.

This was followed up a few months later by the return of Peter Beardsley in another PS1m+ deal.

Sir Les Ferdinand was immediately welcomed on Tyneside in 1995 and became an instant hit and a year later Keegan and Newcastle United shook the football world to it's core, with the world record PS15m signing of Tyneside's prodigal son, Alan Shearer.

There was joy, a huge Geordie welcome and an outpouring of warmth towards Michael Owen when he joined from Real Madrid in 2005. Unfortunately, as it turned out, these emotions disappointingly weren't mutual or reciprocated.

The most recent deal that had me and my mates buzzing was when Eddie Howe shelled out a club record PS63m to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad in 2022.

Alexander has went on to become the new goalscoring hero of the Gallowgate and one of the jewels in our rejuvenated club's crown.

So to catch my drift, everybody loves it when their club goes out and spends the dosh. This isn't a thing that is exclusive to Newcastle United fans.

The Septic Six have had years of trying to sign the best on the market and you see every season that their fans never tire of it.

The lack of transfer activity in January led to the most boring winter period since the Premier League began and this has reportedly forced the FA and EPL into a rethink, regarding the current financial restraints imposed on their member clubs.

The opening line in the Kiss record 'A world without heroes' goes...

"A world without heroes is like a world without sun."

The Yanks have also just witnessed the solar eclipse as it happens... but can you just imagine if we didn't have our footballing heroes?

Well getting potential heroes, generally means showing ambition and paying the big bucks.

We all know that the Newcastle United owners are chomping at the bit to bring us the best they can get. I don't think it will be very long before they will be able to fulfil their wishes to a certain extent.

On my way for the bus I nipped into the Vic for a couple of wee ones and the highlights of the weekend's Premier League matches were on the TV screens.

We were up last as usual but I didn't really care. We'll not be seen as an afterthought for much longer.

We'll be able to strengthen our squad in the summer and I've a feeling that come the start of next season, Newcastle United fans will be more than pleased with the summer business.

The outside wall at the back of the Fat Ox is painted in murals of Toon heroes both past and present. Bobby Moncur, Kevin Keegan, Eddie Howe and Bruno Guimaraes are all there.

Our table in the Ox usually consists of Mick and Ian who are in their 70s and as it happens, were both born in Scotland. There is the two Auld Als (Dag and Ellas) and yours truly (North Shields, Wallsend and Seaton Delaval all represented).

It's absolutely true when folk say that supporting Newcastle United is more than a game, it's a way of life.

And who the hell would want it any other way eh?

No matter how old we get, Geordies simply just don't know any different. Apart from our families, NUFC is the greatest thing in our lives.

'That's just the way it is' by Bruce Hornsby and the Range springs to mind.